Chapter 7: The Attending Maid

“Miss Anya, I… I am Yisha. Master sent me to serve you.” A soft, timid female voice sounded from outside the door.

Iris tilted her head. “A maid coming to serve you? That sounds so embarrassing.”

Anya took a deep breath, suppressing her inner panic. She sat up, straightened her clothes, and spoke toward the door, “Come in, Yisha. The door isn’t locked.”

“Sorry to disturb you, Miss Anya.”

The door was gently pushed open, and a slender, black-haired girl walked in.

She wore a neatly pressed gray maid outfit with a white apron tied at the collar.

Her skin was a soft ivory color, her cheeks tinged with a natural blush, and her eyes darted away, not daring to look at Anya directly.

Her hands clutched tightly at the hem of her apron, looking both obedient and timid—like someone easy to bully.

Yisha gently closed the door behind her and asked in a small voice, “Miss Anya, you must be tired from your journey. Would you like me to help you change and freshen up?”

“Alright, thank you.” Anya nodded, not refusing.

Upon hearing this, Yisha quickly bowed her head and hurried forward, carefully reaching out to untie the sash at Anya’s waist.

But Iris, who was to the side, immediately exploded.

The little white-furred puff’s cheeks flushed instantly, as if scorched by fire.

She clapped her paws over her eyes, but couldn’t resist peeking through her fingers, then squealed and dashed into the System Space.

[Little Anya, what are you doing! Even if you’re both girls, you shouldn’t be so defenseless! I’m still here, you know!] Iris stomped around inside the System Space in frustration, her ears standing up. [If I’d known, I wouldn’t have peeked!]

Just before she left, Iris caught sight of Anya’s slightly raised chest, and for some reason, she pinched her own out of reflex.

She didn’t know why a tinge of jealousy suddenly welled up inside her.

Why is Little Anya’s bigger than mine!

Anya noticed the white-furred puff vanish suddenly, and a hint of doubt flashed through her mind, but seeing how nervous Yisha looked, almost trembling, she decided not to say anything.

To her, since they were both women, helping with clothes and washing up was the most ordinary thing.

She truly didn’t understand why Iris reacted so strongly.

After helping Anya change into a bathrobe, Yisha bowed her head, still respectful and nervous. “Miss Anya, would you like Yisha to assist with your bath?”

“No need. Please prepare something to eat for me. I’ll freshen up on my own.” Anya gripped the soft bathrobe as she stood.

“Very well, Miss Anya. I will go prepare your meal now.” Yisha curtsied to Anya, then left the room.

The moment the door closed, Anya let out a long breath.

She stepped into the steamy bathroom and slowly immersed herself in the warm water that had already been prepared.

The hot water, carrying the scent of cedar and lavender, rose over her shoulders.

She dipped beneath the surface, and at last, her tense lips curled ever so slightly, showing a rare hint of comfort.

[So it’s only when you’re alone in your room that you really allow yourself to relax.]

Iris’s voice sounded in her ear again.

Anya didn’t respond. She just sank her chin into the water, leaving only her eyes above the rising steam.

The comfort from before gradually faded, replaced by a persistent gloom that wouldn’t go away.

[Cheer up, Little Anya!]

Iris’s voice suddenly grew bright.

[The way you’re so downcast makes you look like an easy pushover. If not for me just now, you probably would’ve become a laughingstock.]

“It’s nothing.” Anya gently shook her head, making the water ripple softly. “I’ve gotten used to being looked down on by them. It doesn’t really matter.”

[That’s not right! When it comes to bullying, it only happens zero times or countless times. Your Cousin clearly sees you as her punching bag. You need to learn how to fight back!]

Underwater, Anya unconsciously scratched at the edge of the tub, her expression still calm.

“Cousin’s always been like that since we were little. Father is already exhausted from managing the Family’s affairs in the Northern Border every day. I don’t want to bother him over something so minor.”

[…]

Iris was at a loss for words. Watching the girl’s forced calm in the System Space, she could easily sense the fleeting grievance that flashed deep in Anya’s eyes.

This was not indifference—she was clearly swallowing her feelings, unwilling to trouble her father even the slightest bit.

[Does your Cousin have anything particularly outstanding about her?]

Iris changed her tone, her voice softening a little.

“Her Magic talent is extraordinary. Among all her peers in the Northern Border, she’s one of the very best.” Anya’s voice lowered, edged with a trace of self-mockery she couldn’t hide.

“In comparison, I have very little affinity with Magic, so I’m forced to study Swordsmanship instead. Honestly, I never should have been the Auckland Family’s successor.”

“Little Anya.”

Iris suddenly appeared above the water, her tiny form floating there. The usual lively glimmer in her eyes was now solemn as she gazed straight at Anya.

“Wha…what is it?” Anya was startled, instinctively shrinking back.

It was the first time she’d ever seen Iris so serious.

“I won’t allow you to talk about yourself like that.” Iris put her hands on her hips, her tone resolute. “There are no natural-born weaklings in this world. Everyone comes into it with their own unique worth.”

“And besides, you have the Converter!” Iris clenched her little fists and swung them fiercely in the air.

“Next time your Cousin mocks you for not knowing Magic, just cast Fireball right in front of her! Let’s see if she still dares to boss you around!”

Anya had just lifted her head from the water, droplets trailing down her jawline. She merely shook her head gently. “I can’t.”

“Why not?” Iris floated up to her, her eyes full of confusion. “Do you really want to keep letting her push you around?”

“Father has always taught me that harmony within the Family is most important.” Anya’s voice was soft.

“He’s already worn out from maintaining peace in the Northern Border and keeping the Family going. I can’t let these trifles upset him further, much less destroy the relationship between me and my Cousin. After all, we are connected by blood.”

“So just because she’s family, she can bully you however she likes?” Iris’s tone was full of exasperation.

“Is your hurt not real? Are you supposed to swallow your grievances for the sake of so-called ‘harmony’ and keep living under others’ contempt?”

“I…” Anya opened her mouth but found herself unable to argue.

She lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting a faint shadow on her cheeks.

Beneath her eyes, grievance and helplessness swelled, finally dissolving into a very soft sigh.

The mist in the bathroom slowly faded, and silence stretched between them, broken only by the occasional drip of warm water.

Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door. Yisha’s timely voice broke the tension. “Miss Anya, your meal is ready. Have you finished freshening up?”

“Yes, I’m coming right away.” Anya snapped back to herself, quickly patting her face dry with a towel, hurriedly gathering her damp hair, and leaving the bathroom in a rush.

Iris floated behind her, watching the girl’s hurried back with a face full of concern, unable to keep from sighing heavily.

This little girl’s stubbornness is really something else.

She cares more than anyone about how others see her, yet pretends she doesn’t.

She’s suffered so much, yet still thinks of others first.

If I really want her to have the courage to speak up for herself… looks like I’ll need to come up with some good ideas.